Retail, Cafés, Pubs and Restaurants

We are Leading Lakeland Lawyers working with clients who own or manage retail and hospitality businesses.

The Lake District towns and visitor attractions are a-buzz with retail outlets including designer boutiques, high street brands, outdoor gear specialists, local artisans, beauty salons, specialist bakery and confectionary offerings, and cinemas – to name just a few! Cafes, pubs and restaurants are in abundance, offering a choice of traditional country inns, cafes and bars in the many towns and villages in the region, and fine dining in some of the UK’s most respected Michelin-starred establishments.

There is truly something for everyone, something for every taste and something for every budget.

Here at Temple Heelis, we act for a wide range of property and business owners and managers involved in the retail, café, pub and restaurant sector. We advise clients on property registrations, leases, new building plots and development of new premises, warehousing arrangements, business expansion and acquisition strategies, property and business purchases and sales, asset and share purchases, option agreements, and development of staff accommodation.

Our work doesn’t just start and stop with our clients, though. We work hand-in-hand with other professionals, such as accountants and IFAs, to ensure any legal matter is structured for the most effective tax treatment and outcome. This is particularly important in buying or selling large businesses, retirement plans, investment opportunities and future options.

We also know and work with many banks and other lenders, acting on refinancing matters for clients, secured lending on property and advising on bank guarantees.

Our experience goes well beyond the iconic Lake District though! We’ve acted for clients in many towns, retail and business parks, and visitor locations in the North West and further afield, and are often approached by investors looking to the Lake District for new opportunities or career changes. With some clients, we provide many different legal services and work with our colleagues to ensure all our services are coordinated, such as private client and estate planning, family matters, and residential conveyancing. Recent matters highlighted below.

Recent Matters

Advising on the first registration of ‘twin’ shops in the Lake District hot-spot of Bowness – one a toy shop appealing to all ages and the neighbouring premises being an artisan sweet shop.

Acting for a well-known, nationally-renowned confectionary business and specialist chocolatier based in the North Lakes on several strategically important property transactions.

Advising an entrepreneur taking over a well-known macaron and confectionary business, including assigning rights to recipes as well as the purchase of bakery equipment.

Advising a former London lawyer who made a career and lifestyle change from the legal profession to specialise in coffee roasting! Our client was inspired to leave the law behind and focus on developing and selling sustainably roasted coffee. We advised on obtaining larger premises in a better location to help our client expand their customer base.

Working with an entrepreneur passionate about providing outstanding vegan confectionary, we advised this client on its first commercial premises. Rapid expansion of a home-based baking business during the UK’s lockdowns enabled this client to secure prime retail space in Windermere.

A well-known deli retained our team to advise on expansion plans. The business took over another similar business in the town to expand its customer offering and locations. We acted on the assignment of the lease and purchase of the assets of the second business.

Advising a multi-award winning specialist bar in Windermere in two separate property transactions to purchase freehold property to expand the business. Our client further expanded by taking a new lease of a property in North Lakes honeypot town of Keswick, which included a licence for alterations.

Acting for a well-known ready-meals delivery business in a seven figure deal involving the sale of a franchise and a long-standing family business to help our client reach retirement and soon after, sell their family home and re-locate to their dream retirement location.

Advising an entrepreneur in the asset sale of a café business in the Lake District ‘honeypot’ town of Bowness-on-Windermere. Known for its great breakfasts, lunches and afternoon teas, this long-standing client (built up over many years) is a popular eating place for visitors and locals.

Advising a large property company on a new lease granted to an iconic Ambleside restaurant, bar and cinema complex.

Acting for multiple companies owned by two restauranteur entrepreneurs on several transactions relating to up-market restaurants in the Lake District.

Advising the owner of an art gallery on the freehold purchase of additional warehousing space as part of the client’s business expansion plans. Kendal is a vibrant art town, and this contemporary gallery (housed in the former Kendal Mint Cakes factory!) aims to offer dynamic new art interpretations.

Acting for a holding company involved in pub management on two recent transactions: lease of a pub in the iconic Lake District, together with an option to purchase three years into the lease term; also a similar lease and option agreement for a pub on the Fylde coast. Both opportunities have the potential for commercial development and are million-pound transactions.

Advising a hair salon in the lease of town-centre property which enabled our client to expand its footprint and attract more customers and staff.

Advising a client in the takeover of a longstanding hair and beauty salon. The salon is based in the town centre with high visibility and a large footprint.

Acting for a client which owns a chain of speciality restaurants throughout the region, in the latest opening of a new tapas bar in a popular tourist town. Our work involved lease of the premises which are well known and within the high tourist thoroughfare.

Acting for the owners of a prestigious, long-established country house hotel in the asset purchase of a house of multiple occupation, to enable our client to provide staff accommodation for a number of their valued team members.